The Hindu : Sport : Turning point

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 12, 2004

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Sport - Sports : General

Turning point

Turning point

Sir, _ Rahul Dravid thought that his batsmen will do well on a greenish pitch in Lahore but his calculation went wrong. Except for a swashbuckling innings from Yuvraj Singh, the others failed to live up to their reputations in the first innings. To me the turning point was the way Indian captain Dravid was run out just like his counterpart was in Multan. Like a bad omen, the run out triggered the collapse. Cricket fans look forward to the Rawalpindi Test for an exciting finale.

S. Narayanan,

Chennai

Neutral umpires?

Sir, _ The current India-Pakistan cricket series appears to be a farcical drama enacted by the cricketing Boards with the intention of filling their respective coffers. Even the umpires seem to have a role in ensuring that the series was decided only in the third Test. Such have been the horrendous decisions by the umpires, who are said to be neutral and reputed. In the Multan Test, Inzammam-ul Haq and Yousuf Yohana, both considered the pillars of the Pakistan batting, were clearly not out but at Lahore next, both these players benefited. While India batted a second time, Akash Chopra was adjudged lbw despite a bat-pad situation. Neutral Umpires have arrived or have they?

M. Prem Moorthy,

Chennai

Not cricket, AIR!

Sir, _ When Virender Sehwag was taking apart the Pakistan bowlers at Multan, All India Radio was virtually killing the interest in the game by its injudicious mix of commentary and advertisement. The advertisements are aired synchronous with a boundary-hit or a sixer and when a wicket falls aside from other times. What is also annoying is that invariably the first ball of an over is lost, thanks to the overplay of advertisements. Indeed, in an age when television dominates and few listen to radio commentary, should not AIR make an effort to woo listeners back rather than drive them away through such unimaginative broadcast methods?

S. Sairam,

Hosur

Show restraint

Sir, _ Parthiv Patel's excessive appealing in the Lahore Test, for which he was subsequently fined, is a matter for concern. The youngster, it may be recalled, had once even sledged at the Australian great Steve Waugh. Clearly responsibility has been thrust on him at a very young age that he in unable to show restraint.

P. Kannan,

Srivilliputtur

Wither Caribbean cricket?

Sir, _ It pains passionate cricket fans that West Indies has ceased to be a major force in the international circuit. How can the Caribbeans forget the art of playing cricket? Era after era, West Indian cricketers had brought their individual touch and unique abilities to the game and with what stunning results! Those golden deeds with the bat and ball still echo in the minds of millions who were fortunate to watch the performances. Players like Gary Sobers, Vivian Richards, Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd, Everton Weekes, Clyde Walcott, Frank Worrell, Gordon Greenidge and Michael Holding have brought such delight that it is painful to see this pathetic gloom now.

T.S. Pattabhi Raman,

Coimbatore

Indian chess shining

Sir, _ These are heartening times in Indian chess. Viswanathan Anand has regained the World Number two slot while Koneru Humpy has moved to number three spot in the women's section. Also, India is now ranked 13th, based on the average ratings of the top ten players in the country. Surely Indian chess is shining.

K.V. Raman,

Chennai

Dress code

Sir, _ It is time tennis authorities brought about a `dress code' for women players. The kind of attire the Williams sisters wear makes one wonder whether these players want to `expose' themselves or their tennis talent. If the present trend were allowed to continue, the day would not be far when players would start wearing loincloth for a dress! Let the players `uncover' only their talent, not their body.

V.S. Jayaraman,

Chennai

Chennai

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